Barcelona kit manufacturers Nike advertised Barca shirts with Liverpool midfielder's Philippe Coutinho's name on the back, declaring: 'Philippe Coutinho is ready to light up Camp Nou'. (Metro) Barcelona will make a £130m bid for Coutinho, 25, this week - and are confident they will land the Liverpool playmaker they missed out on in the summer. (Sunday Mirror) Transfer gossip: Barcelona to make new Coutinho move, Liverpool line up Lanzini as replacement?
Really don't understand how this transfer of players works. One hand you have media saying improved offer likely to accept. been saying that for a while now with certain players used each time. You then have shirt sponsor of new club offering player not yet brought on shirts. Surely a deal has been agreed (if not tapping up) and how do media keep getting away with making crap up. What about trading standards offering a shirt for a player you don't own? Also what's to stop us saying no deal or pay £150million or go away. Yes I know some will say players brought are likely to offset coutinho deal but that comes back to my point about media making **** up or Nike offering shirts for a player they can't yet.
I can't see us letting Coutinho go in the middle of the season. It would be a stupid move. If he still wants it then get something agreed for the Summer. At moment we're doing well, it would be daft to sell the player who makes us tick.
it's highly embaressing for Barca and nike. klopp has been clear since july. he discussed with coutinho and the agreement was he's committed for the year. therefore all bids were turned down for him. nothing has changed. klopp is very clear. anything can occur in the summer. I'm sure there will be a similar meeting where they will agree it's time for coutinho to go and a deal will be done then. to put up a shirt with a players name on it is severely amateurish.
He'd be good with decent players around him. I'd want better as Coutinhos replacement but I do think people underestimate Lanzini - good little baller. What we need to figure out is who will be alongside Keita in our midfield duo next season. But our squad is better than it's been for years. Loving it.
Definitely need someone better than Lanzini to replace Coutinho. Is Lemar that player? I think we’ll get Goretzka as well
A midfield 3 of Keita, Goretzka and Lemar would be very sexy. Balanced too. You'd have Keita scurrying around. Goretzka has the height and Lemar has the tekkers. All 3 have serious tekkers and I can see it working well. Especially with VVD barking orders. VVD will be captain within a couple of seasons. Guys ready made for it.
As good as that trio would be, we'd still miss little Coutinho. Even when he's not on song, he holds the ball incredibly well and can still turn a shoulder, glide past a player and open up play - never mind when he's on form and he follows that up with great link up, goals, throughballs and assists. Very few players around who can do what he does. You're looking at Iniesta, De Bruyne, Verratti or maybe Fabregas (although I don't rate him as being as consistent) A trio of Keita, Goretzka and Coutinho would be amazing imo although I'd happily trade Goretzka for a proper DM like Masch or Kante were/are. Imagine you had Keita, Coutinho and Kante...back to the best midfield in the world! Shame the little magician's fixated on leaving
I think Klopp sees Couthino as a forward player much more than a true midfielder. Goretzka and Keita use the ball very well, and carry it through midfield lines, creating opportunity as they do so. I agree that I would prefer to see a proper defensive midfielder in the team. A front 6 of Lemar, Goretzka, Keita, Salah, Mane and Firminho would be hard to contain but would still leave us exposed on the counter so I agree, we need someone to sit but only if we have fb's who get forward and create - the latter bit is what we've missed somewhat. I'm not sure we've got one FB good enough yet. (TAA still young).
In all seriousness, I actually think that is the way for us to go. Like yesterday winning 2-1, Coutinho off Klavan on, Salah and Mane off too for midfielders, its clear we were trying to sure things up, but I look at that as we are still sh!t at defending but now if we concede we won't get back into the game.
I rate Dybala,sweet left foot and brilliant at retaining possession. Very good footballer. I just don't think we need him.
We need someone like that once Coutinho goes. Anyway Dybala will be out of our reach, would take Coutinho level money and he would prefer Spain I'm sure
